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Landlord Guide
How to Choose the Right Tenants
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So, you’ve advertised your property and you’re starting to get enquiries from potential tenants, but how do you convert those initial calls and emails into a successful let?
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What to ask tenants on the phone Landlords who advertise with Upad usually receive plenty of tenant
enquiries (35 on average). However don’t feel you have to arrange
a viewing for everyone who shows an interest. Before you show
someone around, ask some questions to make sure the person and
the property are a good fit.
You could do this by email if you’re more comfortable, but often
you’ll find out more about a person if you have a chat on the
phone. There’s no need to interrogate them (you don’t want to
scare anyone away) but you could just say something like, “can you
tell me a little about yourself?”
Questions to ask include the following: When are they looking to move?
Often people go ‘window shopping’ for their next place
months before they’re ready to move, while others leave
it until the last minute and so might need to move before
your property is available.
Why are they moving?
If the tenant has nothing to hide they are more than likely
to give you a specific reason for moving. If they’re evasive,
they may just not want to tell you their personal situation
at this stage, or they may have something to hide. Best to
judge based on their tone of voice.
How long do they intend to stay?
If you’re looking for a long-term rental, there’s no point
meeting someone looking for a six-month stop gap.
Do they know what you’re offering?
You’d be surprised at how many viewers don’t read the
ads completely. Therefore, it’s worth going over the
essential facts such as the number of bedrooms, the
location and the rent and deposit, plus what is (or isn’t)
included in the rent.
Where do they work?
lf you’re looking for professional tenants, it’s important to
establish they do actually have a job.
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Preparing to meet tenants When arranging to show people around your property, try to be
as flexible as you can. If you limit viewings to working hours or to
evenings and weekends only, you risk losing good tenants.
Don’t be afraid to do more than one viewing at a time. Sometimes
it’s good to let tenants see you’ve got a lot of interest in a property.
After all, we all want something more if someone else wants it too!
However, make sure you keep a list of all viewings so you know
who’s expected when (people always like to be greeted by name).
Make a few subtle notes about each viewer so you’ll remember later
which were the most suitable.
During the viewing, be prepared to answer any questions about
the property and the local area, including local transport, shops,
schools and nightlife.
The sort of questions you might be asked include: Where is the nearest train station/supermarket/bank?
Which buses stop nearby?
How long does it take to travel into town?
How much are the energy bills?
If these are relatively low, have a recent bill to hand as proof.
How much is the council tax?
What are the local schools like?
If you’re appealing to families, it’s worth looking up Ofsted
reports on the nearest schools and finding out if your place
is within the catchment area.
What are the parking restrictions and how do you apply for
any necessary permits?
What’s the local area like?
Obviously you’re going to tell them it’s awesome, but having
some concrete evidence of its desirability is even better – the
property listings site Zoopla has useful information on each
postcode you can pinch.
Five Bulk viewings can save you a lot of time.
Try to show up to five around at
one time.
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What to ask at the viewing Don’t forget to stress all your property’s USPs, which viewers might
not clock, such as double-glazing, proximity to public transport,
a south-facing terrace or garden and friendly neighbours.
Hand each viewer a sheet with printed details about your property,
including your contact number and email. This will help to jog their
memory later - after the dozens of properties they might have seen
that day - which they liked the best.
However, the viewing process is also an opportunity for you to suss
out prospective tenants and make sure they’re the sort of person
you want to live in your property. It’s a chance for you to ask the
tenant more about themselves and to make sure they’ll be a good
renter.
There’s no need to stage an inquisition, just chat casually while
walking them through the property.
Things to ask include: Are they looking at the property only for themselves or will they
be sharing? You need to know exactly who – and how man – will
be living there.
Where do they work and how long they’ve worked there?
Generally speaking, the longer the better.
Are they on a permanent or temporary contract?
Ideally their contract should last at least until theend of their
tenancy.
Will they be able to supply references from their employer and a
previous landlord?
Visit the Upad Landlord Hub for more tips: www.upad.co.uk/hub
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Choosing your tenantYou can usually tell from someone’s body language if they like
the property. If they ask lots of questions and stay more than
five minutes, they’re probably quite keen. It’s worth following up
the next day with a quick phone call or an email, to see if they’re
interested and if they’d like a second look.
Now you might receive an offer from a viewer you didn’t warm too.
Don’t feel you have to accept. Go with your gut instinct and if you
don’t feel comfortable letting to someone, you can always tell them
you’ve had another offer.
When you’ve selected your ideal tenant, it’s best to reference them
to make sure they’re as good as you think they are. We’ll verify
their job and salary to ensure they can afford the rent, as well as
securing references from their employer and previous landlord.
*Upad Tenant Referencing includes:
A credit check
Previous landlord references
Employer references
An affordability check
What happens next?Once you’ve choosen your tenants and had them referenced Upad
can help get your tenancy up and running.
Tenant Sign Up ServiceUpad can also sort out all the paperwork, including writing a cast-
iron tenancy agreement, registering the deposit and setting up the
standing order for the rental. This ensures a smooth and stress-
free start to your tenancy. Just ask for our Tenant Sign-up Service,
which costs £189 (inc VAT).
Rent Protection Even the best credit checks and references cannot predict a tenant
falling on hard times and not being able to pay their rent. Our Rent
Protection and Legal Expenses Insurance will protect you from
defaulting tenants, by ensuring that rental payments are made
direct to you in full. Only £159.
InventoriesAn accurate and detailed inventory is an essential part of the
tenancy. Upad offer a range of great value, specialised inventory
services nationally. From £120.
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Photography £99A professional set of 8 photographs of
your property for you to keep.
Floorplan £99A professionally-produced floorplan of
your property.
Gas Safety Certificate £99A legal requirement for rental properties
with gas supplied.
Tenant Sign-Up Service £189We handle all of the paperwork to start
your tenancy.
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) £99Essential legal document.
Rightmove Featured Listing Credit £150Featured Listings have bigger photos,
a coloured box.
(£85.50 + VAT)
(£85.50 + VAT)
(£85.50 + VAT)
(£82.50 + VAT)
(£157.50 + VAT)
Additional products
(£125 + VAT)
Services UChooseUPay On Success
Fully Managed Letting
Property advertising on Rightmove,
Zoopla & PrimeLocation
Tenancy Compliance Service
Landlord Club
Personal ARLA-qualified Account
Manager
Tenant Sign Up Service
Professional photos and Rightmove
Premium Listing
Floor Plans
Property management
£149 Inc VAT
£0 up-front
£599 Inc VAT
Fixed fee up-front
£449 Inc VAT On success
Plus £72 per month
Upad is a one-stop shop for all of your letting needs
*Term
s ap
ply
NEW
NEW
To speak to one of our Account Managers call us on 0333 240 1220.
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We provide you with all the help and advice
you need. We provide a personal service to
every Landlord. Whether it’s your very first
time or you’re a seasoned professional, your
ARLA-qualified Account Manager will find
out exactly what you need.
ARLA-qualified Account Managers
Should you use Upad?Are you willing to conduct your own viewings?
Would you like a personal, ARLA-qualified Account Manager?
Do you think tenants prefer to meet the Landlord rather
than an agent?
Could you do with saving a large sum of money?
Do you think you care more about your property than
the letting agent?
Do you like the idea of only paying for the services you
actually need?
Would you prefer your tenants didn’t pay hundreds of
pounds in admin fees?
Is the idea of being in control of the tenant find process
appealing?
Do you trust the decision of over 15,000 UK’s landlords
to change?
